PEER-REVIEWED
Idiosyncrasies in greyhounds
that can affect their medical care
These athletes have been bred for speed and an even temper. But some irregularities
in greyhounds will affect how to clinically assess and treat these dogs. Make sure
you’re prepared for the next greyhound that visits your practice.
William E. Feeman III, DVM
Animal Medical Centre of Medina
1060 S. Court St.
Medina, OH 44256
OVER THOUSANDS of years, greyhounds
have been bred and selected for speed.
This selective breeding may explain a
number of the idiosyncrasies we see in
the breed today. Retired racing greyhounds are becoming more common pets
and more common patients in veterinary
hospitals. It is estimated that about 18,000
greyhounds are placed into homes as pets
annually. This article will familiarize practitioners with some idiosyncrasies in greyhounds that can affect their medical care.
Complete blood count idiosyncrasies
Packed cell volume
It is well-known that greyhounds have
a significantly higher packed cell volume
(PCV) than other breeds (Table 1).1 Values
are routinely above the upper reference
range used by most laboratories.1,2 PCVs
as high as 65% are not uncommon and
are considered normal. PCVs less than
45% likely indicate some degree of anemia in a greyhound despite the fact that
the value may fall within the reference
range of most laboratories.
platelet count of 100,000/µl or less
should be tested for ehrlichiosis and
other tick-borne diseases. Protatek Reference Laboratory* provides discounts on
serologic tests for tick-borne diseases in
retired racing greyhounds. Symptomatic
treatment of thrombocytopenia that includes doxycycline and, in some cases,
corticosteroids can be considered.
White blood cell counts
and morphology
Greyhounds routinely have lower
white blood cell counts than other breeds
(Table 1).1,3 Lymphocyte, neutrophil, and
monocyte counts were all found to be
lower in greyhounds than in nongreyhounds.3 These findings are rarely clinically relevant and are not necessarily indicative of immunosuppressive disease or
overwhelming infection.
Greyhound eosinophils have empty
granules and lack the more classic orange
granules, making them appear vacuolated. This finding seems to be more common in slides stained with Diff-Quik
(Dade Behring) than in those stained with
Giemsa and can cause the eosinophils to
be misidentified as toxic neutrophils.4
Platelet counts
Greyhounds have lower platelet
counts than other breeds (Table 1).2 Reference values for greyhound platelets
have been reported to be as low as
64,000/µl.3 One complicating factor in interpreting greyhound platelet counts is
ehrlichiosis, a rickettsial tick-borne disease known to cause thrombocytopenia.
In my opinion, a greyhound with a
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Serum chemistry profile idiosyncrasies
Creatinine and BUN concentrations
Greyhounds have significantly higher
creatinine concentrations than other
*Protatek Reference Laboratory, 574 E. Alamo St.,
Suite 90, Chandler, AZ 85225; (480) 545-8499.
breeds (Table 1).5 These higher concentrations, primarily attributed to the
breed’s large muscle mass, often lead to
a misdiagnosis of early renal disease. Female greyhounds have higher blood
urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations than
other breeds.1 Greyhound glomerular filtration rates are similar to those of nongreyhounds (Drost WT, Couto CG, Fischetti AJ, et al., Department of
Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio
State University, Columbus, Ohio: Unpublished data, 2005). In dogs, raw food
diets increase BUN concentrations and, in
some cases, creatinine concentrations.6
Many active greyhound racers and some
retired racers are fed a raw food diet, so
their BUN and creatinine concentrations
could be further elevated in the absence
of renal disease.
Perform a urinalysis and measure
urine specific gravity with a refractometer
in any greyhound with a slightly elevated
creatinine concentration. Absence of proteinuria and a urine specific gravity
greater than 1.020 suggest that the creatinine concentration is likely normal for
that particular patient.
Thyroid hormone concentrations
Greyhounds have lower thyroid hormone concentrations (total thyroxine [T4]
and free T4 by equilibrium dialysis) than
other breeds (Table 1).7 The clinical relevance of this is controversial in veterinary
medicine. Some veterinarians think that
most greyhounds are hypothyroid and
should be supplemented with levothyroxine, whereas others think that the
lower concentrations are normal for the
breed.
One greyhound adoption program
suggests that greyhounds that show shyness or anxiety receive thyroid supplementation regardless of thyroid hormone
concentrations.8 I disagree with this and
think greyhounds are often oversupplemented with thyroid hormone replacement medications. Greyhounds normally
show many outward signs that might be
confused with signs of hypothyroidism.
TABLE 1
Laboratory Values in Greyhounds and Other Dog Breeds*
Laboratory Test
Greyhound Values
Canine Reference Range
PCV (%)
Platelets (3103/µl)
WBC (/µl)
Seg (/µl)
Lymph (/µl)
Mono (/µl)
Creatinine (mg/dl)
Total T4 (nmol/L)**
Free T4 by dialysis (pmol/L)**
Globulin (g/dl)
Sodium (mmol/L)
Chloride (mmol/L)
Total bilirubin (mg/dl)
41.4–64.2
64–292
1,800–14,600
3,690–7,298
246–3,198
0–820
0.8–1.6
2.1–37
1.3–32.2
1.4–4.2
149–157
110–122
0–0.7
37–55
160–416
6,000–17,000
3,000–11,400
1,000–4,000
150–1,350
0–1
10–45.5
3.9–39.9
3.8–5
142–150
110–121
0.1–0.3
*Source: References 3, 6, and Drost WT, Couto CG, Fischetti AJ, et al., Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio: Unpublished data, 2005.
**Total and free T4 reference values for greyhounds are at the lower sensitivity of the assay, which may make diagnosing
hypothyroidism based solely on these hormones impossible. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism should only be made in a greyhound
with supporting laboratory test findings (elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone response test result, decreased total and free T 4
concentrations) and appropriate clinical signs.
Many greyhounds are inactive and coldintolerant and have caudal thigh alopecia. These signs may not be a result of
hypothyroidism. The thigh alopecia is
referred to as bald thighs syndrome (see
below) and is not consistently thyroid
hormone-responsive.9
Hypothyroidism should only be diagnosed in a greyhound based on the results
of a full thyroid profile (total T4 concentration, free T4 concentration by equilibrium
dialysis, total triiodothyronine [T3] and free
T3 concentrations, and a thyroid-stimulating hormone response test) and supporting clinical signs. (Total T3 and free T3 concentrations in greyhounds are similar to
those in other breeds.) The Diagnostic
Center for Population and Animal Health
at Michigan State University** performs a
complete thyroid panel and can provide
interpretation by veterinary endocrinologists who have extensive knowledge of a
greyhound’s normal thyroid hormone
concentrations.
**Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health,
P.O. Box 30076, Lansing, MI 48909-7576; (517) 353-0621.
Other idiosyncrasies
Greyhounds have lower globulin
concentrations and higher sodium, chloride, and bilirubin concentrations than
other breeds (Table 1), although these
findings are rarely misinterpreted or clinically relevant.3
Cardiologic idiosyncrasies
Greyhounds may have mildly enlarged
hearts and mild heart murmurs that can
occasionally be considered normal. The
murmur is known as a physiologic flow
murmur and is considered idiopathic but
most likely relates to turbulent blood
flow associated with a high stroke volume.10,11 The physiologic flow murmur
can be characterized as systolic (not
holosystolic), loudest over the left base,
and low intensity (grade III or less)10,11
and must be distinguished from murmurs
due to cardiac diseases. Mild generalized
heart enlargement is also a common finding in many normal greyhounds, even
many years after retirement.
Echocardiographic idiosyncrasies
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593
Greyhound idiosyncrasies (cont’d)
FIGURE 1
1. Numerous
comedones and
papules on the
sternal area of a
greyhound with
ventral comedo
syndrome.
(Reprinted from
Burkett G. Skin
diseases in
greyhounds.
Vet Med 2000;95:
115-124.)
2. This 6-year-old
neutered male exracing greyhound
shows the alopecia
characteristic of bald
thighs syndrome.
(Reprinted from
Burkett G.
Skin diseases in
greyhounds.
Vet Med 2000;95:
115-124.)
most consistent laboratory abnormalities
include mild anemia, thrombocytopenia,
hypoalbuminemia, elevated alanine
transaminase activity, and proteinuria.17
Treatment is supportive and includes appropriate topical and systemic antibiotics
selected based on culture and sensitivity
results (note that Staphylococcus species
are often cultured but are thought to be
a secondary pathogen).18 Those greyhounds with azotemia should undergo
intravenous fluid therapy and symptomatic treatment.
Ventral comedo syndrome
FIGURE 2
noted in greyhounds include enlarged
left ventricular cavity dimensions, increased left ventricular and septal wall
thickness, and increased systolic time
intervals when compared with nongreyhounds. These differences were significant despite corrections for body surface
area and body weight.12 Greyhounds are
also known to have significantly higher
mean arterial pressures than nongreyhounds (118 mm Hg vs. 98 mm Hg).13
Dermatologic idiosyncrasies
Alabama rot
Idiopathic cutaneous and renal
glomerular disease, also known as Alabama rot, is a rare disease seen more
frequently in greyhounds than in other
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breeds.14-16 It is thought to be caused by
Escherichia coli 0157:H7 toxin.14 The
first clinical signs noted are inflamed
and painful cutaneous swellings that
may crust and progress to slow healing
ulcers ranging from a few millimeters to
several centimeters in length. The most
commonly affected sites include the
hocks, stifles, or medial thighs. In rare
cases lesions may be noted on the forelimbs, thorax, or ventral abdomen. General malaise and inappetence is often
associated with this period. Renal disease occurs in 25% of cases and may
occur up to 10 days after the onset of
signs.
Alabama rot is diagnosed by histologic examination with supporting complete blood count, serum chemistry, and
urinalysis results and clinical signs. The
Ventral comedo syndrome affects
many greyhounds. Comedones occur
most commonly along the ventral thorax
and may be secondary to pressure-point
contact of a greyhound’s deep chest
with the ground.18 This contact allows
for the implantation of the hair shaft
within the hair follicle that acts as a foreign body, which results in inflammation
and causes obstruction and comedo formation (Figure 1). This condition is
rarely clinically relevant and is only a
cosmetic problem. It can be treated with
benzoyl peroxide- or keratolytic-containing
shampoos or gels.18 Antibiotics are not
indicated unless a secondary pyoderma
is present.
Bald thighs syndrome
Bald thighs syndrome is a nonpruritic and noninflammatory alopecia affecting the caudal aspect of the pelvic
limbs (Figure 2). The lesions can be
progressive and can involve the abdomen. Primary differential diagnoses
for the syndrome include demodicosis,
dermatophytosis, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, and sex hormone
imbalances.18 There is no specific treatment for this condition, which has no
known cause. Thyroid supplementation
will stimulate hair growth in euthyroid
dogs, so be cautious if using levothyroxine to treat this condition.19 The syndrome will resolve in many greyhounds
a few months after retirement.18
Greyhound idiosyncrasies (cont’d)
Corns
Greyhounds seem to be susceptible to
corns.20 Corns are keratotic growths most
commonly found on the footpads that
can result in marked pain and lameness.
The primary differential diagnoses are
plantar and palmar warts. The true cause
of corns is unknown, but corn formation
may be due to the absence of a thick
fatty layer in the greyhound footpad that
absorbs shock and protects the skin and
footpad.20 The absence of this fatty layer
results in a concussive force between the
phalanx and footpad that may cause
corns to form.20,21 Another theory is that
corns result from trauma to the footpad,
which heals and becomes fibrous and
scarred.20,21
Treatment of corns has included administering topical products containing
salicylic acid (KeraSolv Gel—DVM Pharmaceuticals), surgically removing the
corn (about 50% of corns will recur
within one month to one year after surgery), and amputating the digit. Digit amputation can present complications because corns can occur in the remaining
digits.21 If a corn is excised, perform a
histologic examination of the lesion to
confirm the diagnosis.
Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy
Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy
is the most common cause of multiple
toenail loss (onychomadesis, onychogryphosis, onychoschizia) on multiple paws in greyhounds. This condition,
also known as pemphigus, does not
seem to affect the footpads or other
areas as it does in other breeds. Definitive diagnosis requires amputation and
histologic examination (sample sent to a
dermatohistopathologist) of the third
phalanx, but definitive diagnosis is
rarely necessary since most dogs respond to treatment without a definitive
diagnosis. Ideally, all secondary infections should be resolved before biopsy.
Differential diagnoses include bacterial
infection, fungal infection, neoplasia,
and autoimmune disease.
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Treatment consists of high doses of
essential fatty acids, immunosuppressive
medications, and systemic and topical
antibiotics as indicated.22 Some dermatologists have found that the combination
of tetracycline, niacinamide, and high
doses of essential fatty acids (180 mg
eicosapentaenoic acid/10 lb) effectively
controls this disease without concurrent
corticosteroid administration. Long-term
medication may be necessary to control
the condition.22
Orthopedic idiosyncrasy
Central tarsal bone fractures are one of
the most common career-ending orthopedic injuries of active racing greyhounds.23
These injuries can often be surgically repaired, although many trainers and rescue groups lack the financial resources to
treat surgically. Extended rest (six to 12
months) and casting are another treatment option often used. Although
swelling and arthritis will develop in the
affected tarsus if surgery is not performed, most greyhounds will still maintain a high quality of life.
Reproductive idiosyncrasies
Clitoral hypertrophy occurs in many recently retired female greyhounds. Female
greyhounds are routinely given testosterone injections at the racetrack to prevent estrous cycles. One of the long-term
sequelae of these injections can be clitoral hypertrophy.24 In some cases this
condition has been confused with hermaphroditism. If a greyhound is asymptomatic, the condition does not require
treatment.24 Abnormalities in the internal
reproductive organs would potentially be
of concern and could be addressed at the
time of neutering.
Anesthetic idiosyncrasies
Greyhounds have a reputation among
veterinarians and owners as having many
anesthetic idiosyncrasies. The nervous
Greyhound idiosyncrasies (cont’d)
demeanor of some greyhounds and the
stress of a hospital setting can lead to potential gastrointestinal upset, hyperthermia, and unreliable response to anesthetic premedications. A greyhound’s
body conformation can also predispose it
to hypothermia during anesthesia. Greyhounds have a relatively high body
surface-to-volume ratio and a low average body fat (17% average body fat for
greyhounds compared with 35% average
body fat for mixed breeds).25 Many safe
anesthetic protocols are available for
greyhounds. Monitoring preoperative and
postoperative temperatures is important,
as it is for any pet.
Anesthetic hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia and nonmalignant hyperthermia, or stress hyper-
moval of the patient from gas anesthetics, external cooling, and respiratory
support.27 Even with appropriate treatment, this disease can be fatal. Malignant hyperthermia is definitively diagnosed based on the results of a caffeine
contracture test on fresh muscle tissue
and suggestive serum chemistry and
blood gas analysis results (elevated creatinine kinase or aspartate transaminase
activities, elevated CO2 concentrations,
low pH, and, occasionally, low bicarbonate concentrations) during a malignant hyperthermia episode.27 An erythrocyte osmotic fragility test can also
be performed, but finding a commercial
laboratory that performs this test may
be difficult.28
Stress hyperthermia is more commonly seen in greyhounds than true ma-
Malignant hyperthermia is
most likely to occur while
the dog is exposed to inhalant
anesthetics.
thermia, can affect greyhounds. Malignant hyperthermia is a rare inherited
genetic disorder of skeletal muscle that
results in the mutation of calcium channel protein within muscle cells. This
mutation results in muscle contraction
and increased metabolism, which leads
to the production of not only excess
carbon dioxide but also excess heat, resulting in a life-threatening hyperthermia.26 Malignant hyperthermia can be
triggered by gas anesthetics (not injectable anesthetics), extreme exercise,
and stress. It is most likely to occur during the procedure or while the dog is
exposed to inhalant anesthetics. The
only treatment for true episodes of malignant hyperthermia is an intravenous
injection of the muscle relaxant dantrolene in addition to supportive intravenous fluid therapy, immediate re598
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lignant hyperthermia.29 It can occur at
any time but is more likely in recovery.
Greyhounds are well-known for their
large muscle mass. Many greyhounds
also suffer from separation anxiety or
stress when hospitalized. I think both of
these factors may help explain why greyhounds seem to suffer from stress hyperthermia more than other breeds. As animals awake from anesthesia, many shake
or shiver as a natural response to mild
hypothermia, pain, or disorientation. In
some greyhounds, this response seems
to be exaggerated, and many continue
the warming process beyond normal
body temperatures and may reach in excess of 105 F (40.5 C). These animals
may respond well to supportive treatment (anti-inflammatories, intravenous
fluids, external cooling, pain medications, muscle relaxants, and respiratory
support) without the use of dantrolene if
the condition is diagnosed early enough.
Many anesthesiologists say that if a dog
survives an episode of anesthetic hyperthermia without receiving dantrolene
then the dog does not have malignant
hyperthermia.29
Anesthetic agents
Greyhounds have lower hepatic clearance of thiobarbiturates than nongreyhounds, which results in prolonged recoveries after repeated doses of the drug.
Complete recovery in these cases may
take up to eight hours, compared with
one or two hours in nongreyhounds.
Many anesthesiologists think that a single
injection of a thiobarbiturate will not be
harmful to a greyhound,29 but I think that
too many other safer anesthetics are
available to justify its use.
A ketamine-diazepam combination
and propofol are the two most commonly used injectable anesthetic protocols (tiletamine/zolazepam is an alternative to ketamine and diazepam but
anecdotally seems to result in rougher
recoveries).26 As with any breed, premedication to decrease stress and pain
will result in less stressful recoveries.
Lower doses of acepromazine should be
used in greyhounds (< 0.1 mg/kg), as
greyhounds appear to be more sensitive
to acepromazine’s effects, which can
prolong sedation and worsen hypothermia.29 Acepromazine is usually administered intramuscularly with an opioid.
Maintaining anesthesia with isoflurane or
sevoflurane is preferred because they are
metabolized to a lesser degree than
halothane or methoxyflurane, though
halothane is considered acceptable.
Halothane is more well-known for triggering malignant hyperthermia than
isoflurane or sevoflurane.
Conclusion
Greyhounds have many idiosyncrasies
that can affect their medical care. Being
aware of these idiosyncrasies will pre-
vent misdiagnoses and allow for more appropriate treatment and diagnostic testing.
Many studies are pending publication that
will describe additional idiosyncrasies. For
those veterinarians interested in learning
more about greyhounds and interacting
with other veterinarians who also work
with greyhounds, please visit the Greyhound Health Research and Information
Network Web site at www.ghrin.org.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Dr. Richard Bednarski, Dr. Walter
Threlfall, Dr. Lori Hitchcock, Dr. Guillermo Couto,
and Dr. Suzanne Stack for their help in writing this
article.
REFERENCES
1. Sullivan PS, Evans HL, McDonald TP. Platelet
concentration and hemoglobin function in greyhounds. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1994;205:838-841.
2. Porter JA Jr, Canaday WR Jr. Hematologic values in mongrel and greyhound dogs being
screened for research use. J Am Vet Med Assoc
1971;159:1603-1606.
3. Steiss JE, Brewer WG, Welles E, et al. Hematologic and serum biochemical reference values in
retired greyhounds. Compend Contin Educ Pract
Vet 2000;22:243-248.
4. Iazbik MC, Couto CG. Morphologic characterization of specific granules in Greyhound
eosinophils. Vet Clin Pathol 2005;34:140-143.
5. Feeman WE 3rd, Couto CG, Gray TL. Serum
creatinine concentrations in retired racing Greyhounds. Vet Clin Pathol 2003;32:40-42.
6. Wynn SG, Bartges J, Dodds WJ. AAVN Nutrition Research Symposium, June 2003 (abst).
7. Gaughan KR, Bruyette DS. Thyroid function
testing in Greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 2001;62:11301133.
8. Wolf D. Medical information you need to know
about Greyhounds. Philadelphia, Pa: National
Greyhound Adoption Program.
9. Schoning PR, Cowan LA. Bald thigh syndrome
of Greyhound dogs: gross and microscopic findings. Vet Dermatol 2000;11:49-51.
10. Hitchcock L, Ohio Veterinary Cardiology Ltd,
Akron, Ohio: Personal communication, 2005.
11. Kittleson MD, Kienle RD. Signalment, history,
and physical examination. In: Small animal cardiovascular medicine. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby,
1998;44-46.
12. Snyder PS, Sato T, Atkins CE. A comparison of
echocardiographic indices of the nonracing,
healthy greyhound to reference values from other
breeds. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1995;36:387-392.
13. Cox RH, Peterson LH, Detweiler DK. Comparison of arterial hemodynamics in the mongrel dog
and the racing greyhound. Am J Physiol 1976;230:
211-218.
14. Rotermund A, Peters M, Hewicker-Trautwein
M, et al. Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy in a great dane resembling ‘Alabama rot’ of
greyhounds. Vet Rec 2002;151:510-512.
15. Carpenter JL, Andelman NC, Moore FM, et al.
Idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy of greyhounds. Vet Pathol 1988;25:401-407.
16. Hertzke DM, Cowan LA, Schoning P, et al.
Glomerular ultrastructural lesions of idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy of
greyhounds. Vet Pathol 1995;32:451-459.
17. Cowan LA, Hertzke DM, Fenwick BW, et al.
Clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities in
greyhounds with cutaneous and renal glomerular
vasculopathy: 18 cases (1992-1994). J Am Vet Med
Assoc 1997;210:789-793.
18. Burkett G. Skin diseases in greyhounds. Vet
Med 2000;95:115-124.
19. Credille KM, Slater MR, Moriello KA, et al.
The effects of thyroid hormones on the skin of
beagle dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2001;15:539-546.
20. Swaim SF, Amalsadvala T, Marghitu DB, et al.
Pressure reduction effects of subdermal silicone
block gel particle implantation: a preliminary
study. Wounds 2004;16:299-312.
21. Borghese IF. Corns and warts: definitions,
causes and treatments. Available at: www.therapaw.net/docs/Corns,%20and%20warts.pdf. Accessed 2004.
22. Auxilia ST, Hill PB, Thoday KL. Canine symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy: a retrospective
study with particular reference to management. J
Small Anim Pract 2001;42:82-87.
23. Anderson MA, Constantinescu GM, Dee LG,
et al. Fractures and dislocations of the racing
Greyhound idiosyncrasies (cont’d)
greyhound part II. Compend Contin Educ Pract
Vet 1995;17:899-909.
24. Threlfall WR, The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbus, Ohio: Personal communication, 2005.
25. Court M.H. Anesthesia of the sighthound.
CE Q UESTIONS 2 CE hours
You can earn two hours of Continuing
Education credit from Kansas State University by answering the following questions on greyhound idiosyncrasies. Circle
only the best answer for each question,
and transfer your answers to the form on
page 612.
Article #1
1. Which is a common finding on a complete blood count in a greyhound?
a. High platelet count
b. Low PCV
c. High neutrophil count
d. High PCV
e. High lymphocyte count
2. Which is a common finding on a serum
chemistry profile in a greyhound?
a. Low BUN concentration
b. High creatinine concentration
c. High T4 concentration
d. Low alanine transaminase activity
e. High globulin concentration
3. Which is true regarding greyhound thyroid hormone concentrations?
a. Caudal thigh alopecia is a common
sign of hypothyroidism.
b. Greyhounds often have normal thyroid
concentrations below the reference
ranges listed by most laboratories.
c. A low total T4 is adequate to establish a
diagnosis of hypothyroidism in a
greyhound.
d. Appropriate clinical signs must be present to establish a diagnosis of hypothyroidism in a greyhound.
e. B and D
4. Which statement is true regarding heart
murmurs in greyhounds?
a. Heart murmurs in greyhounds are inno600
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Veterinary Medicine
Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 1999;14:38-43.
26. O’Brien PJ, Pook HA, Klip A, et al. Canine stress
syndrome/malignant hyperthermia susceptibility:
calcium-homeostasis defect in muscle and lymphocytes. Res Vet Sci 1990;48:124-128.
27. Nelson TE. Malignant hyperthermia in dogs. J
Am Vet Med Assoc 1991;198:989-994.
28. Axlund TW. Exercise reduced collapse in
dogs, in Proceedings. West Vet Conf 2004.
29. Bednarski R, The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Columbus, Ohio: Personal communication, 2005.
cent and not indicative of heart
pathology.
b. Heart murmurs in greyhounds are always clinically relevant and indicative of
heart pathology.
c. Heart murmurs in greyhounds may be
innocent physiologic murmurs or can
be indicative of heart pathology.
d. Physiologic heart murmurs in greyhounds are normally a grade V or VI.
e. Physiologic heart murmurs in greyhounds are normally holosystolic.
8. Which statement is true regarding anesthesia in greyhounds?
a. Isoflurane and sevoflurane are both appropriate for use in greyhounds.
b. Thiobarbiturates should be avoided.
c. Malignant hyperthermia, stress hyperthermia, and hypothermia are all risks
associated with anesthesia in
greyhounds.
d. Lower doses of acepromazine should
be used in greyhounds.
e. All of the above
5. Which statement is true regarding corns
in greyhounds?
a. They can cause marked lameness in a
greyhound.
b. Surgery is the treatment of choice and
is curative.
c. Corns may return after surgical removal.
d. A and B
e. A and C
9. Which would be the most reasonable
next step in working up a healthy greyhound with a mildly elevated creatinine
concentration and normal BUN
concentration?
a. Complete urinalysis
b. Measurement of glomerular filtration
rate
c. Starting a therapeutic renal diet and
rechecking blood work in four weeks
d. Ultrasonography
e. Radiography
6. What is the most common cause of
multiple toenail loss on multiple paws in a
greyhound?
a. Pododermatitis
b. Dermatophytosis
c. Trauma
d. Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy
e. Squamous cell carcinoma
7. Which statement is true regarding malignant hyperthermia?
a. It must be treated with the muscle relaxant dantrolene.
b. Not all anesthetic hyperthermia in greyhounds is caused by malignant
hyperthermia.
c. Inhalant, not injectable, anesthetics may
result in malignant hyperthermia.
d. Elevated creatinine kinase or aspartate
transaminase activities and acidosis
are suggestive of malignant
hyperthermia.
e. All of the above
10. What is a primary differential diagnosis
for a greyhound with less than 100,000
platelets?
a. Normal for the breed
b. Tick-borne disease
c. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
Coming next month in
Recognizing and treating
disseminated intravascular
coagulation